Peace and six-seven crowned Oxford Children’s Words of the Year, showing what really mattered to kids in 2025

Oxford University Press reveals children’s Word and Slang Word of the Year, highlighting both their global awareness and the power of friendship language.

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Published: January 21, 2026 at 10:52 AM

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'Peace' has been named Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2025, while 'six-seven' was chosen as their slang word of the year.

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The findings, released by Oxford University Press (OUP), offer a revealing snapshot of what children aged six to 14 are noticing, talking about and worrying about, from global conflict to artificial intelligence and playground slang.

Based on responses from almost 5,000 children, the annual research highlights just how tuned in young people are to the world around them, and how language helps them make sense of it all.

Why children chose 'peace'

According to the research, 35% of children voted 'peace' as their word of the year, narrowly ahead of 'AI,' which was chosen by 33%. 'Resilience' came in third, with 21% of the vote.

When asked why they chose 'peace,' many children referenced global conflicts directly. One in ten mentioned war, with some naming Ukraine and Gaza in their answers. Words like 'need,' 'want,' and 'should' appeared frequently, showing a strong sense of empathy and a desire for calm and safety.

The findings suggest that conversations children are hearing at home, in school and through the media are shaping their understanding of the wider world, even at a young age.

This growing focus on peace is also reflected in children’s creative writing. Analysis of the Oxford Children’s Corpus, which contains over half a billion words of writing by and for children, found that mentions of peace in stories submitted to the BBC 500 Words competition have increased by 60% since 2015.

AI remains firmly on children’s radar

For the second year running, 'AI' was voted runner-up. One in five children said they chose 'AI' because they hear people talking about it so often, highlighting just how embedded it has become in everyday life.

Interestingly, younger children were especially likely to choose it. Nearly three in ten six to eight year olds selected 'AI' as their word of the year, suggesting that conversations about technology are reaching children earlier than ever.

Many children described feeling positive about the word, with more than one in ten using terms like 'excited' or 'exciting' when explaining their choice.

'Six-seven' and the power of playground slang

Alongside the main word of the year, children were also asked to vote for their favourite slang word. Almost half, 47%, chose 'six-seven,' far ahead of 'aura' and 'delulu.'

While some children admitted that 'six-seven' does not really have a fixed meaning, its importance lay elsewhere. Many associated it with friends, fun and laughter, and more than a quarter said it simply made them laugh.

Crucially, 72% of children said it was important to have words that they only use with friends, underlining how language helps children build identity, belonging and social bonds away from the adult world.

Why children’s language matters

Andrea Quincey, Director of Early Years and Primary Publishing at Oxford University Press, said the results show just how observant children are.

A key theme we see from our Oxford Children’s Word of the Year research is just how attuned children are to current affairs. This year is no different, whether that’s calling for peace in response to current conflicts or highlighting how AI has permeated daily life. Perhaps it’s no surprise that ‘six-seven’ is voted, overwhelmingly, as their slang word of the year.

Andrea Quincey, Director of Early Years and Primary Publishing, Oxford University Press

She also highlighted the importance of children having ownership over their language, especially when it comes to slang that brings joy and connection.

A call for schools and families to get involved

OUP is now encouraging schools to take part in the next Oxford Children’s Word of the Year, using it as a way to support reading, vocabulary, and oracy skills.

Schools are invited to hold word of the year discussions throughout the school year and submit their votes for 2026. An activity pack has been created to help teachers and pupils explore language, encourage book talk and build confidence in self-expression.

To mark this year’s announcement and support the National Year of Reading 2026, OUP will also be working with the National Literacy Trust on author-led school events across the UK.

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said language plays a powerful role in helping children understand the world and their place in it, and that reading and word play can help children feel more connected.

What this means for parents

For parents, the results offer a useful reminder of how much children absorb from the world around them. From news headlines to adult conversations and online content, children are listening, processing and forming opinions.

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Talking with your child about words they hear, whether serious ones like 'peace' or playful ones like 'six-seven,' can be a simple way to open up conversations about feelings, friendships and what matters to them right now.

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